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Bright v. Massachusetts

Petition for certiorari denied on March 20, 2017

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
16-579 Mass. App. Ct. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2016

Issue: (1) Whether the Eighth Amendment's requirement of individualized sentencing for a child who confronts a sentence of life in prison is satisfied by the possibility that a future parole board may exercise its discretion to release him early; and (2) whether the imposition of a mandatory life sentence on a child convicted on a joint venture theory, without any individualized sentencing consideration, violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
08/30/2016Application (16A216) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from September 28, 2016 to October 28, 2016, submitted to Justice Breyer.
08/30/2016Application (16A216) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until October 28, 2016.
10/28/2016Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 28, 2016)
11/15/2016Brief amicus curiae of The Sentencing Project filed.
11/18/2016Waiver of right of respondent Massachusetts to respond filed.
11/21/2016Brief amici curiae of Juvenile Law Center, et al. filed.
11/28/2016Brief amici curiae of Citizens for Juvenile Justice, et al. filed.
11/30/2016DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 6, 2017.
12/12/2016Response Requested . (Due January 11, 2017)
01/03/2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including February 10, 2017.
02/10/2017Brief of respondent Massachusetts in opposition filed.
02/28/2017Reply of petitioner Ahmad Bright filed.
03/01/2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of March 17, 2017.
03/07/2017Supplemental brief of petitioner Ahmad Bright filed. (Distributed)
03/20/2017Petition DENIED.